Big League Stew

Milone back in minors with Twins after trade from Athletics

FILE - These are 2014 file photos showing then-Oakland Athletics baseball player Sam Fuld and Athletics Tommy Milone. The Athletics have traded left-hander Milone to the Minnesota Twins for outfielder Sam Fuld. The A's announced the deal Thursday morning, July 31, 2014, before the trade deadline. Fuld began the season with Oakland. (AP Photo/File)

As of Thursday afternoon, left-hander Tommy Milone might be saying to himself, "Be careful what you wish for." Because he sure got it.

Sounds great for Milone, right? With top-tier left-hander Jon Lester coming to Oakland in another deal, there was little chance that the A's were going to get Milone any more starts this season. So he's better off elsewhere. Except:

Tommy Milone being assigned to Rochester for the time being, a Twins source says. Kennys Vargas will be in Kansas City tonight.

Now THAT is some irony. As Miller says, the stint at Class AAA is "for the time being," so Milone ought to join Minnesota's big-league rotation someday. Collectively, the Twins starters have posted a 4.97 ERA, 28th of 30 teams in the majors. They could use an improvement, and Milone is — on the surface.

Milone has posted a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts for the A's this season, but he's been at Class AAA Sacramento since July 9. Now, he's at Rochester, (N.Y.), which still isn't the majors.

So, for the moment, consider Milone's request to the A's half-granted.